Amazon Scraps David O. Russell-De Niro Drama Over Weinstein Ties

The future of Amazon’s Matt Weiner and David O. Russell dramas came into question over The Weinstein Company’s involvement and sexual assault allegations against founder Harvey Weinstein. Now, Amazon confirms only Weiner’s series will move forward; effectively scrapping Russell’s first TV gig.

Amazon had previously opted to review its commitment to Weiner’s The Romanoffs and David O. Russell’s Robert De Niro-Julianne Moore drama, given financial association with the now-toxic Weinstein name. The streaming service confirmed late Friday it will move forward as sole investor on The Romanoffs (Weinstein funding had not yet materialized anyway), though the $160 million Russell project will be abandoned outright.

Russell, De Niro and Moore also issued a joint statement about the project:

We support Amazon’s decision as in light of recent news and out of respect for all those affected we have decided together that it is best to not move forward with this show.

The alleged “mafia crime series” had a two-season order of eight episodes apiece, with Russell set to write and direct all installments. Dissociating from The Weinstein Company is one of several scandals Amazon has been pulled into over the last week, as studio boss Roy Price was placed on a leave of absence over harassment allegations from Man in the High Castle producer Isa Dick Hackett.

Weiner’s The Romanoffs is already in production, but might David O. Russell consider another high-profile TV project?